Seoul railways and metros reduce midnight operations – COVID-19 re-expansion

Due to the rapid increase in the number of people infected with COVID-19 in South Korea, the number of midnight trains of railways and metros in the Seoul metropolitan area has been reduced.

Sinseol-dong Station (신설동) on the Seoul Metro / Ui-Sinseol LRT © Katsumi
Sinseol-dong Station (신설동) on the Seoul Metro / Ui-Sinseol LRT © Katsumi

On November 24, 2020 (Tuesday), the South Korean government raised the level of “Social distancing” which is the policy to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The contents include specific restrictions, centering on facilities where people gather and clusters are likely to occur. Especially for the Seoul city area where the number of infected people is large, “Reinforced Measures in Seoul” are stipulated by adding more restrictions.

Railway operators operating in the Seoul metropolitan area are cooperating with this measure by reducing midnight train operations from November 27, 2020 (Friday) for the time being as follows.

  • Korea Railroad (KORAIL)
    The trains time or operationg section of Metropolitan Railway Lines 1 and 4, Gyeongui-Jungang Line, and Gyeongchun Line is changed after 20:00. The last train will end by 0:30 based on the terminal station.
  • Seoul Metro
    Lines 2 (main line), 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 is reduced trains after 22:00 on weekdays by about 20% on average.
  • Seoul Metro Line 9
    The trains after 22:00 are reduced by about 20% everyday.
  • Ui-Sinseol LRT
    The trains after 22:00 on weekdays are reduced.

In Seoul, it is obligatory to wear masks correctly in public transportation and indoor facilities from November 13, 2020 (Friday), and violators will be fined 100,000 won.